With just over five points separating the top four on the Sunfoil Series log, the pressure is on all teams to win in the penultimate matches, starting Thursday.

The Warriors have the momentum after their dramatic last-ball victory over the Titans last time out – two weeks ago – which puts them on top of the log with 116.42 points. The Cobras are second with 115.78 points, and the fourth-placed Titans are just 5.18 behind them.

The Warriors are in a strong position. They are the only team to have won two matches, although that success was countered by a loss to the Dolphins.

On Thursday they take on the Knights, who have drawn all eight of their matches. In the Warriors’ favour is the fact that they are playing in East London, where their spinners – Jon-Jon Smuts and Simon Harmer – have had great success.

Harmer leads the wicket-takers charts with an incredible 38, while Smuts is fifth on the list with 19. It will need a bold approach by the Knights to get a win.

There is no longer the option of sitting back and settling for a draw. Wins will be paramount!

The Cobras will take on the Titans in Paarl, which could be a problem: last time the Cobras played there – against the Lions – 1,253 runs were scored, which had Cobras coach Ashwell Prince spitting blood, after he had asked for ‘a result wicket’.

Still, at least he got that in Pietermaritzburg, when the Cobras beat the Dolphins by eight wickets, while the Titans suffered their first loss of the series, so the hosts are on a roll.

Meanwhile, the Dolphins face the wounded Lions at the Wanderers. While the Dolphins have a win under their belts, the Lions have nothing but two losses and six draws. They have only Lions pride to gain, but that can be a motivating force.

Photo: Michael Sheehan/Gallo Images